The US soldier suspected of killing Afghan civilians, Robert Bales, is to be charged with 17 counts of murder, US officials tell the BBC.

The US is expected to announce its candidate for the next president of the World Bank as the deadline for nominations approaches.

Australian police say they have broken up a child pornography network, with the arrest of at least 13 men across the country.

Irish political party Fianna Fail says it will seek to expel former leader and prime minister Bertie Ahern in the wake of the Mahon Tribunal.

A Brazilian city has microchipped T-shirts worn by pupils in an effort to curb truancy and improve teacher-parent relations.

Japan, China and South Korea move closer to inking a trilateral investment agreement that may pave the way for a free-trade deal.

Japan orders missile defence systems to be prepared in response to the planned launch of a North Korean long-range rocket next month.

An outbreak of swine flu across several Indian states has killed 12 people and infected dozens of others, the health ministry says.